Member-only story
Is AI Companionship Bad?
“The problem is not that AI is becoming human. The problem is that we are becoming increasingly willing to treat it as though it were human. We are being encouraged to forget the difference between the performance of empathy and empathy itself.” — Sherry Turkle, Fast Company
Non-members can read here.
The emergence of Artificial Intelligence has made humans defensive.
Many see it as a threat to humanity’s existence. Others view it as a useful tool.
AI is not entirely beneficial; it can cause mischief. It has disrupted livelihoods, for example.
AI’s intelligence mimics human intelligence and has the potential to surpass it.
Millions of people turn to AI chatbots for companionship. Most of them know they are dealing with machines, not humans, though some are deluded into thinking they are talking to human companions.
People explore connections through different channels. Some are content with human companions. Others turn to pet animals and birds for company.
Nature is a wonderful companion. It heals and nourishes us like human companions.
Now, technology has emerged as another channel to foster connections.
